Non-commercial Class A license in North Carolina

[esarratt]

This pertains to North Carolina.

In what type of vehicle did you take your driving test for your I need to obtain my Class A license?

I have some new equipment and I will definitely be over the 10,000lb trailer limit for my State.

Has anyone been through this? I cannot get in touch with a human at the NCDMV.

 

[Rustyiron]

If they require an "A" license for YOUR combination, you should be able to use that for the test!
Oops, I'm using common sense and we're talking about the government. :laughing:
Not in NC, but I think that the guidelines are somewhat federally regulated, I borrowed my buddies short- under cdl freightliner with air brakes with a 12' flatbed with a 10 ton air brake trailer for my test. Got my "A" restricted for driving a 4 axle dump truck and 25ton eq. trlr.
I think you may just need to stop by the mva and innocently ask them. Hopefully your worrying about nothing.

 

[esarratt]

Oops, I'm using common sense and we're talking about the government. :laughing:

Hopefully your worrying about nothing.

I hope so. We shall see.

Their website says that they are not doing any "driving tests" currently, but that they are giving a driving test waiver for Class C licenses. It implies that there is no waiver for Class A and B at this time.

I set up an appointment for tomorrow. We shall see.

 

[esarratt]

I think you may just need to stop by the mva and innocently ask them.

So, I went by the North Carolina DMV (MVA). The guy was nice. He said that I just needed to go take the Class "A" non-CDL test and that was all I needed. I specifically asked if I needed to take a driving test and he said "no".

So, I setup an appointment the next day at another DMV location (because my original choice did not have any appointments until November).

At the appointment, the DMV officer gave me the once-over about getting Class A non-CDLs; I explained that I had an excavator that I had to tow and it was far in excess of 10,000lbs. Later I overheard her talking to her supervisor; she didn't know what test to give me. They gave me a "truck" test.

None of the information in the Class A non-CDL manual was on the test. I think they gave me the Class A CDL exam.

Luckily I have also been studying for my CDL's out of the other commercial driving book so, I passed.

Then she gave me a "learner's permit". When I asked about my complete license she said," You have to take a driving test. We aren't offering those right now. You have until 2022 to complete the driving test."

Lordy Lordy.

If they require an "A" license for YOUR combination, you should be able to use that for the test!

This is my hope. Pray for me.

We shall see....

 

[Rustyiron]

I'd say so far so good. :thumbsup:

 

[Norm W]

If this is a straight truck (dump) and tag trailer, the "A" will be restricted "Not valid for semi". If it doesn't have air brakes, that is another restriction. If you will not be using it "Commercially" you can self-certify "Interstate excepted" and not have to have a log book and physical. Much of the hoops you must jump through depends on what you are driving and it's use. Ex. A pick up with a goose neck trailer, but the total combination weight is under 26,000lbs, no CDL. If over 26k, CDL needed.

 

[JJZ 109]

If this is a straight truck (dump) and tag trailer, the "A" will be restricted "Not valid for semi". If it doesn't have air brakes, that is another restriction. If you will not be using it "Commercially" you can self-certify "Interstate excepted" and not have to have a log book and physical. Much of the hoops you must jump through depends on what you are driving and it's use. Ex. A pick up with a goose neck trailer, but the total combination weight is under 26,000lbs, no CDL. If over 26k, CDL needed.

So many hoops to jump through for each different situation. I see you're in the Syracuse area. I drive part time for a USPS contractor out of Syracuse. We don't have to keep a log per se, but there's a daily time record. We have to note start time and end time along with actual hours driven, truck number and where the trip began.
I've never been asked for one as I've generally been waved through at DOT or NYSP truck enforcement stops. But we have had drivers who didn't have a completed form with them pulled from the truck and another driver had to be sent to move it from the site. These are generally under the 26k limit but we all have CDL because some are air brakes and you never know what truck you might have if there are breakdowns, preventive maintenance scheduled, etc.

 

[Norm W]

Trip Sheets are used when the driver stays within a 150 mile radius of his home base. There are other rules for "Hour of Service" most of which are federal. As far as air brakes, many of the DPW stake-rack trucks are "Juice" brakes, so they can be driven by summer help without a CDL. The hours of service rules were changed about 2010, even the DOT guys couldn't explain them. The rules are supposed to be federal, so they are the same from state to state. If you believe that, I've got a bridge in NYC for you.

 

[Barnbuilder]

I have a Class B for driving fire truck. Earlier this year I asked DMV about getting a Class A. She told me I just needed to get my picture taken.

 

[esarratt]

I have a Class B for driving fire truck. Earlier this year I asked DMV about getting a Class A. She told me I just needed to get my picture taken.

Interesting. That would be worth going to Waxhaw. Thanks for the information.